1
a
: an ornamental brooch
especially
: the badge of an honorary order
b
: a flat thin piece (as of metal) used for decoration
c
: a commemorative or identifying inscribed tablet
2
a
: a localized abnormal patch on a body part or surface
b
: a sticky usually colorless film on teeth that is formed by and harbors bacteria
c
: an atherosclerotic lesion
d
: a histopathologic lesion of brain tissue that is characteristic of Alzheimer's disease and consists of a dense proteinaceous core composed primarily of beta-amyloid that is often surrounded and infiltrated by a cluster of degenerating axons and dendrites
3
: a clear area in a bacterial culture produced by viral destruction of cells
Examples of plaque in a Sentence
A bronze plaque marked the city's oldest building.
They gave him a plaque in honor of his 30 years of service.
Brushing your teeth prevents the buildup of plaque.
The scientists are studying the way the plaques form.
Recent Examples on the Web
If the plaque within one of the coronary arteries suddenly ruptures, a blood clot forms on its surface.
—
Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 28 Nov. 2025
Students with the greatest number of sponsors and with the highest donation in the school will get their names on the school’s Walk-A-Thon plaque.
—Jose Bolanos, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Nov. 2025
Every watch represents almost a full year of work, and the watchmaker engraves his signature on a gold plaque inside the movement after final testing.
—Thor Svaboe, Robb Report, 24 Nov. 2025
Both work by attacking the buildup of amyloid plaques in the brain and can slow disease progression by up to 30% for people with mild-to-moderate disease.
—Alice Park, Time, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for plaque
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Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 28 Nov. 2025
Students with the greatest number of sponsors and with the highest donation in the school will get their names on the school’s Walk-A-Thon plaque.
—Jose Bolanos, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Nov. 2025
Every watch represents almost a full year of work, and the watchmaker engraves his signature on a gold plaque inside the movement after final testing.
—Thor Svaboe, Robb Report, 24 Nov. 2025
Both work by attacking the buildup of amyloid plaques in the brain and can slow disease progression by up to 30% for people with mild-to-moderate disease.
—Alice Park, Time, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for plaque
Cite this Entry
“Plaque.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plaque. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
plaque
noun1
: an ornamental pin
especially
: an honorary badge
2
: a flat thin piece (as of metal) used for decoration or inscribed as a memorial or marker
3
: a sticky usually colorless film on teeth that is formed by and contains bacteria
Medical Definition
plaque
noun
variants
also placque
1
a
: a localized abnormal patch on a body part or surface and especially on the skin
psoriatic plaque
b
: a sticky usually colorless film on teeth that is formed by and harbors bacteria
c
: an atherosclerotic lesion
d
: a histopathologic lesion of brain tissue that is characteristic of Alzheimer's disease and consists of a dense proteinaceous core composed primarily of beta-amyloid that is often surrounded and infiltrated by a cluster of degenerating axons and dendrites
called also senile plaque
2
: a visibly distinct and especially a clear or opaque area in a bacterial culture produced by damage to or destruction of cells by a virus
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